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Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,168
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Should I tell my brother about this?

[ Edited ]

My brother and his fiancée have been on a cruise for the past week...they hired a pet sitter, Robin, to look after their two dogs; she gets the mail, walks the dogs, and feeds them; they have used her before and like her services. She is also a colleague of my brother's and they have worked together for almost ten years.  She leaves a detailed note each day about where they walked and how she combed them and brought them a special treat, etc. yesterday my brother asked me to put pick up some more dog food and drop it off at his house....I took it over and as I was leaving, I saw a note on the kitchen table....it was the note that she leaves after she sees the dogs each day. Problem? She had it all filled out in advance through next week when they will be back from their cruise....Dec.4. Each day has a different comment...but now I wonder if she has even been coming and doing the job...found a couple of "accidents" on the floor that I cleaned up in the kitchen and the food bowls are empty as are the water bowls, Both dogs, a schnauzer and a dachshund, seemed to be starving so I fed them and they devoured their food and followed me around for more....they never do that. Should I tell my brother while he is away and just feed them each day and tell him when he returns? He pays this woman $300. I don't have a way to contact her. Thanks.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,928
Registered: ‎12-24-2010

Re: Should I tell my brother about this?

YES....................same thing happened to me once.  Relative insisted she took care of my dog every day ...but the house was covered with poop = I call that evidence & dog was very hungry.  I paid her - stayed 'friends' but never hired her again.  My heart breaks for your brother's dog. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,805
Registered: ‎03-15-2014

Re: Should I tell my brother about this?

I think I would tell him now - he may want you to continue with daily visits until he returns.  Did Robin think the dogs would survive if she didn't come at all?  He'll want to deal with her after his return, but for the moment he has to consider his pets' welfare.  Maybe he won't confront her but just cool their relationship and certainly not ask for her help again.

Regular Contributor
Posts: 185
Registered: ‎10-16-2011

Re: Should I tell my brother about this?

I definitely would tell them without hesitation just what you found and the condition of the dogs. If you are able, I would copy her" prepared note"  before they return. JMO

Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,865
Registered: ‎02-07-2011

Re: Should I tell my brother about this?

IMO I would tell my brother when he gets home.  In the meantime, I would take pictures of what I found--empty water bowls, condition of dogs, notes that were pre-written.  And take care of the dogs myself.

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,359
Registered: ‎03-20-2010

Re: Should I tell my brother about this?

[ Edited ]

@lovesrecess  Contact your brother and tell him.  Get his permission to contact her or leave a note telling her services are no longer needed effective immediately and make sure you take the prewritten notes with you for evidence to show him.  That is neglect and she should be investigated since she probably is doing it with others if that is her business!!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 31,735
Registered: ‎05-10-2010

Re: Should I tell my brother about this?

      How can you even ask that question, of course you should tell your bother and in the interim, until they get back, you should go there and feed those dogs and give them their water.  It's obvious, she's neglecting them.  Don't say anything to her, just take of those dogs and let your bother know.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,989
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Should I tell my brother about this?

Look after the pets for now and tell your brother once he gets home. Why spoil his vacation if you can help out this time?

Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,989
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Should I tell my brother about this?


@kaydee50 wrote:

IMO I would tell my brother when he gets home.  In the meantime, I would take pictures of what I found--empty water bowls, condition of dogs, notes that were pre-written.  And take care of the dogs myself.

 


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I love the idea of taking a picture 

of the pre -written notes @kaydee50

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,920
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Should I tell my brother about this?

You should take your brother's dogs to your house IMMEDIATELY, and tell your brother you did so and why, then wait to see if the dogsitter even contacts your brother, or if she continues to lie to him about her absolutely horrifying treatment of his pets while he is gone!  What if one of the dogs suffered a medical emergency, and was not discovered by this wretched woman until it was too late?  Not to mention the very dangerous effects of dehydration on the Miniature Schnauzer, especially!  (the breed is prone to kidney stones, which can be fatal if ignored)  Please, please, take those dogs somewhere safe before something terrible and irreversible happens to them!